Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-07-21
MR.. MEGILP'S PICTURE.
The Good Fortune That Came Out
Of "BM of Sale

Mr.. Michael Angelo Megilp was a
young artist of some performance and
of considerable promise. But, like
many other men in that position, he
was often heavily handicapped by the
want Of ready money. for though his
pictures were toler~bty well spoken Of
by the critics and Landed to the skies
by his friends. the piotpre-deslers gave
him only a very moderate price for
them.
Still, spite of this drawback. Msgilp,
being of cheerful. happy-go-lucky dis
position, kept up his courage, worked
early and lste in his studio, and be-
lieved firmly that some day a favorable
turn in his affairs would come. He
had married early young lady pos
sessed Of more beauty than fortune; in
fact, Mr.. Megilp's marriage portion of
f60O only just paid for the furnishing
of the house and studio At Kensingten.
where the young couple began house
keeping.
But with the best Intentions the
young wife WAS not very skillful man
ager. so gradually the Megilps glided
into debt, and in due course the trades
people became FESTIVE and refused fur
ther supplies until their little bills were
paid. When Michael Angelo and his
wife came to add up their liabilities.
they found that they amountedto near
" f2OO, a sum total which seemed ter
rifle to poor little Mrs. Mcgilp.
"Where on earth can we get GOO.
Angy?" she cried. clasping her hands
tragicslly. "All your pictures even if
you could sell them, wouldn't fetch
half that
There's the furniture. you know.
Mad.e. hazarded Megilp. 1T WAS
bought with Your money. What do
You say to-
oh, dom't-dont sell it; I couldn't
bear to part with all my pretty things"
she interrupted. with loving glance
round her. drawing-room, which WAS
quite IA picture of modest elegance.
Il shouldn't think of asking You to
make such sacrifice, my DEAR" re-
piled Michael Angelo. soothingiy; ''but
we could raise goo on it easily"
You're quite-q~ite sure the fur
riture would be safe?"
Perfectly safe: and l think 1 know
the man who will do the business
bill of sale, you know-not half a bad
way of raising money"
According Megilp Went next morning
down to Wardour street. add in dirty
little bric-a-brac shop .he unearthed the
worthy Israelite who was to oblige him
with the loan.
"You want f2O0 on bill of sale on
Your furniture?' said Mr.. Zerubbabel,
when the artist had. explained his err
rand. II must come down to your
house and see what you have got be-
fore can give you An answer.
Surely you can take my word that
there is ample security for the amount
Iwant. Besides presents, we ourselves
spent oyer $500 only two years age"
replied Michael Angelo. angrily.
Mr.. Zerubbabel Laid his fat foreiinger
;alopg his great, hooked nose and
wnksd, adding:
Il dare say. Still. I'd rather have
look 1T it before We do business. II
you give me your address III call on
YOU TOMORROW"
Michael Angelo swallowed his reNa-
ton as best he could. gave his address.
and left the bric-a-brac shop.
Mr.. Zels,bbabel duly paid his visit Of
inspection. and in the course of few
days the negotiation WAS 4 fat dc-
enmph. The Megilps paid their bids.
the trsdespeople smiled once more en-
Mrs. Megilp. and matters went on
quite smoothly for several months.
The interest on the f20O was purctual-
}y paid, and early in the year Michael
Angelo finished the picture he in
tended to send in to Burlington
House.
Every one who entered the studio
prophesied great things Of this pic
sure. and every one agreed that
.Chloe Counting her Chickens" was,
SO far. Megilp's Chef dowvre. The
artist himself founded all his hopes OF
fane on this charming work.
Il won't take a penny less than E50O